KARCHER K 3 Pressure Washer User Guide

: June 3, 2024
: Karcher

Table of Contents

KARCHER K 3 Pressure Washer
Safety
Proper use
Environmental protection
Description of the Appliance
Installation and Startup
Operation
Transport and storage
Maintenance and care
Troubleshooting
Technical specifications
Warranty
EU Declaration of Conformity
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

KARCHER K 3 Pressure Washer

KARCHER K 3 Pressure Washer-PRO

Safety

Please read these original operating instructions and the enclosed safety instructions prior to the initial use of your device. Proceed accordingly. Keep both booklets for future reference or subsequent owners.

Hazard levels

DANGER: Pointer to immediate danger, which leads to severe injuries or death.
WARNING: Pointer to a possibly dangerous situation, which can lead to severe injuries or death.
CAUTION: Pointer to a possibly dangerous situation, which can lead to minor injuries.
ATTENTION: Pointer to a possibly dangerous situation, which can lead to property damage.

Safety Devices

CAUTION: Safety installations serve the protection of the user and may not be modified or bypassed.

Appliance switch
The appliance switch prevents unintentional operation of the appliance.
Lock trigger gun
The lock locks the lever of the trigger gun und prevents the accidental start of the device.
Auto-stop function
If the lever on the trigger gun is released, the pressure switch turns off the pump, the high-pressure jet stops. If the lever is pulled the pump is turned on again.

Symbols on the machine

The appliance must not be directly connected to the public drinking water network. The high-pressure jet must not be directed at persons, animals, live electrical equipment or at the appliance itself. Protect the appliance against frost.

Proper use

This high-pressure cleaner is designed for domestic use only.

for cleaning machines, vehicles, buildings, tools, facades, terraces, gardening tools, etc. by means of a high-pressure water jet (if necessary, with additional cleaning agents).
with accessories, replacement parts and cleaning agents approved by KÄRCHER. Please observe the information accompanying the cleaning agents.

Environmental protection

Notes about the ingredients (REACH) You will find current information about the ingredients at: www.kaercher.com/REACH

The packaging material can be recycled. Please arrange for the environmentally appropriate disposal of the packaging.
Old appliances contain valuable recyclable materials that should be recycled properly. Please arrange for the environmentally appropriate disposal of the old devices.
Electrical and electronic devices often contain components that could potentially pose a danger to human health and the environment if handled or disposed of incorrectly. However, these components are necessary for the proper operation of the device. Devices marked with this symbol must not be disposed of with regular household rubbish.
Cleaning operations that produce oily wastewater, e.g. engine washes, and underbody washes, may only be carried out using washing stations equipped with an oil separator.
Work with detergents must only be performed on liquid-tight work surfaces with a connection to the sewer system. Do not let release detergent into waters or earth.

Description of the Appliance

The scope of delivery of the device (depending on the model) is illustrated on the packaging. These operating instructions describe all possible options.

KARCHER K 3 Pressure Washer-1

High-pressure connection
Appliance switch „0/OFF“ / „I/ON“
Storage hook
Carrying handle
Transport handle, detachable
Detergent suction hose with detergent filter and lid
Detergent Tank
Coupling element for water connection
Water connection with integrated sieve
Storage for spray lance
Storage for trigger gun
Mains cable with mains plug
Bearing wheel
Full Control trigger gun
Pressure display
- MIX
- SOFT
- MEDIUM
- HARD
Lock trigger gun
Button for detaching the high-pressure hose from the trigger gun
High-pressure hose
Full Control spray lance Dirtblaster For strong contaminations Pressure level: HARD
Full Control spray lance Vario Power Carrying out the most common cleaning tasks Pressure levels: HARD / MEDIUM / SOFT / MIX
21 Washing brush Suitable for use with detergents.
22 Foam nozzle For effective detergent foam.
23 Detergent
Fabric-reinforced water hose with commercially available coupling.
- Minimum diameter, 1/2 inches (13 mm).
- Minimum length 7.5 m.

Installation and Startup

Illustration
Mount loose parts delivered with appliance prior to start-up.
Park the appliance on an even surface.
Illustration
Push the high-pressure hose into the trigger gun until it locks audibly. Check the secure connection by pulling on the high pressure hose.
Illustration

ATTENTION
Impurities in the water can damage the high-pressure pump and the accessories. For protection, the use of the KÄRCHER water filter (optional accessory, order no. 4.730-059) is recommended.

Operation

CAUTION: Dry running of more than 2 minutes leads to damage of the high- pressure pump. If the appliance does not build up pressure within 2 minutes, switch the appliance off and proceed in accordance with the instructions in Chapter “Troubleshooting”.

High pressure operation

CAUTION
Keep a distance of at least 30 cm when using the jet for cleaning painted surfaces to avoid damage.
ATTENTION
Car tyres, paint or sensitive surfaces such as wood should not be cleaned with the dirt blaster, as there is a risk of damage.
Illustration

Full Control System

The pressure indicator on the trigger gun shows the currently set pressure level during operation with a Full Control spray lance.
Note: The pressure indicator is not significant during operation with the T-Racer and other accessories.

ATTENTION: The sensitivity of the materials can strongly differ depending on the age and the condition. The so-called recommendations are non-binding.

Operation with detergent
Note: Detergent can only be added when the device is operated in low pressure mode.
Illustration
Optional
Illustration

Recommended cleaning method

Spray the detergent sparingly on the dry surface and allow it to react, but not to dry.
Spray off loosened dirt with the high-pressure jet.

After operation with detergent

After operation with detergent: Run the machine for approximately 1 minute for a clear rinse.

Operation with a washing brush

ATTENTION: Risk of damage to the paintwork When working with the washing brush, it must be free of dirt or other particles.
Note: If required, the washing brushes can be used to work with detergent.

Interrupting operation

Illustration
Release the lever of the trigger gun and lock it.
During longer breaks (more than 5 minutes), also turn the appliance off using the “0/OFF” switch.

Finish operation

CAUTION
Only separate the high-pressure hose from the trigger gun or the device when there is no pressure in the system.

Release the lever of the trigger gun.
Turn off the appliance “0/OFF”.
Disconnect the mains plug from the socket.
Turn off tap.
Press the lever on the trigger gun to release any remaining pressure in the system.
Lock the lever of the trigger gun.
Detach the appliance from the water supply.

Transport and storage

CAUTION: Risk of personal injury or damage! Mind the weight and storage of the appliance during transport.

When transporting by hand

Lift the appliance by the carrying handle and carry it.
Pull out the transport handle until it audibly snaps into place. Pull the appliance by its transport handle

When transporting in vehicles

Secure the appliance against shifting and tipping over

Storing the Appliance

Park the machine on an even surface.
Stow away the accessories on the appliance according to the device. Prior to extended storage periods, as during the winter, also observe the instructions in the Care section.

Frost protection

ATTENTION: Appliances and accessories that are not completely drained can be destroyed by frost. Completely drain appliances and accessories and protect them against frost. To avoid damage:

Completely drain all water from the appliance: Switch the appliance on with a detached high-pressure hose and detached water supply (max. 1 minute) and wait, until no more water exits at the high-pressure connection. Turn off the appliance.
Store the appliance and the entire accessories in a frost-free room.

Maintenance and care

The appliance is maintenance-free.

Care

DANGER
Risk of electric shock.

Prior to all work on the appliance, switch off the appliance and pull the power plug.

Clean the sieve in the water connection

ATTENTION: The sieve must not be damaged.

Remove coupling from the water connection. Illustration
Pull the sieve out (e.g. using flat pliers), clean under running water and then reinsert it

Troubleshooting

Appliance is not running

Push the lever of the trigger gun, the device will switch on.
Check whether the voltage indicated on the type plate corresponds to the voltage of the mains supply.
Check the mains connection cable for damages.

Pressure does not build up in the appliance

Check setting at the spray lance.
Completely open the water tap.
Remove air from appliance before operation. Switch on the appliance without connection the HP hose (max. 2 minutes) and run it until the water discharging from the HP outlet is free of bubbles. Switch off appliance and reconnect HP hose.
Pull out the sieve in the water connection using flatnose pliers and clean under running water.

Strong pressure fluctuations

Clean high-pressure nozzle: Remove dirt and debris from the nozzle bore, using a needle and rinse through with water from the front.
Check water flow quantity.

Appliance is leaking

Slight leakage from the appliance pump is normal. If the leakage increases contact the authorized customer service.

No detergent infeed

Use Vario Power spray lance. Turn the spray lance to “Mix” position.
Remove filter from suction hose for detergent and clean under running water.
Check the detergent suction hose for kinks

Accessories and Spare Parts

Only use original accessories and spare parts, they ensure the safe and trouble-free operation of the device. For information about accessories and spare parts, please visit www.kaercher.com.

Technical specifications

Warranty

The warranty terms published by the relevant sales company are applicable in each country. We will repair potential failures of your appliance within the warranty period free of charge, provided that such failure is caused by faulty material or defects in manufacturing. In the event of a warranty claim please contact your dealer or the nearest authorized Customer Service centre. Please submit the proof of purchase. Addresses can be found under: www.kaercher.com/dealersearch

EU Declaration of Conformity

We hereby declare that the machine described below complies with the relevant basic safety and health requirements of the EU Directives, both in its basic design and construction as well as in the version put into circulation by us. This declaration shall cease to be valid if the machine is modified without our prior approval.